The Carbon Neutral Components

Wind: On a hill overlooking this Minnesota prairie campus, a 1.65 megawatt wind turbine currently powers 60 percent of campus buildings with a successful behind-the-meter application. It is the first turbine of its kind to be constructed at a public university, and it has been in operation since Earth Day, 2005.

In the fall of 2010, Morris expects to add a second wind turbine which will provide the remainder of campus electrical needs and more, eventually allowing Morris to put the excess electricity produced on-site back onto the grid. A third turbine[1], shared with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians in Minnesota, will eventually provide a revenue source for both organizations. Morris will use the revenue to fund scholarships for students pursuing majors in environmental studies or environmental science.

Biomass/Gasification: Tucked behind the campus physical education center, a small, unobtrusive building houses a biomass/gasifi cation plant. When fullyoperational, the plant will burn locally procured non-food-based bio-fuel feedstocks. By burning local products—principally, corn stover and mixed prairie grasses—the plant will replace Morris’ dependence on natural gas, provide a minimum of 80 percent of campus heating needs, and put about half a million dollars back into the local economy annually.

Steam Turbine: In the fall of 2009, Morris will add a steam turbine to this gasifi cation system. Operating on the green steam, which is a product of the gasifi cation process, the steam turbine will produce electricity on those days when the wind isn’t blowing and will provide a redundant source of electrical power that goes back onto the grid on those windy days that are the hallmark of the prairie. This same green steam that provides heat for the campus in the winter will connect to an absorption chillerin the summer to cool buildings.[2]

Campus Fleet: The majority of campus fleet vehicles are gas-electric hybrids. These hybrids offset more than 21 tons of carbon dioxide per year (about 2,200 gallons of gasoline), approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide that the average American produces annually (as determined by the Union of Concerned Scientists). The fl eet also features a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) which runs on electricity instead of gas and costs three cents per mile to drive—compared to nearly thirty-three cents per mile for a gasolinepowered vehicle. The annual cost to power the ZEV is $161, saving $1635 per year.

Local Foods: The University of Minnesota, Morris is a founding member of the Pride of the Prairie Local Foods Initiative. Cooperating with Sodexo, the campus food service provider, Morris is increasing its use of locally grown, organic, and sustainably produced food in its dining operations. In addition, the campus hosts a local foods dinner, as well as the Prairie Food Expo and Farmers Market for the campus and broader community twice a year.

Conservation and Recycling: In 2002, campus leaders began work on a water conservation study and upgrade. New fi xtures with watersaving features such as restrictors in bathroom sinks and showers, low-fl ow toilets, two-way flush valves, and motion-activated urinal flushers have been installed on campus. The campus diligently recycles aluminum, corrugated cardboard, office paper, and more. In 2007, Morris redirected 65 tons of recyclables from landfi lls at $211 per ton, saving the campus$13,715.



National Historic District Renovation: The buildings which surround the Morris campus mall are listed on the National Historic Registry as part of a National Historic District. One of these buildings dates to the American Indian Boarding School era; the rest were designed in the early 1900s by Minnesota architect Clarence Johnston for the West Central Agricultural High School. Today, these buildings serve as the heart of campus academic, residential, and cocurricular activities.

One of these historic buildings is currently being renovated as a gateway center for the campus, housing all the university’s outreach functions. The renovation refl ects the campus mandate to build and renovate in accord with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. This mandate was fostered by Morris students, who successfully lobbied in 2007 to change campus planning guidelines to require that the campus use LEED Silver as the minimum level of energy effi ciency. The building architect and campus leaders anticipate that the restoration will reach LEED Platinum standards, making it the fi rst building in the country on the National Historic Registry to achieve such a distinction when it opens in January, 2010.

The Outcome: The campus expects that the combination of factors recounted above will produce significant positive outcomes, as illustrated in the two graphs above. The fi rst shows anticipated campus energy use by source over the course of 8 years, 2004–12. The second depicts the anticipated net energy balance at the university from 2004–12.

Renewing the past, sustaining the future

Over the course of the past several years, the Morris campus has gained considerable regional, state and national attention. Visitors to campus inevitably ask the same questions: How has this coordinated, comprehensive campus approach been possible? What are the ingredients for success?

There is no single or simple answer, but a variety of factors have likely influenced the positive outcomes apparent in the University’s effort to achieve carbon neutrality and energy independence.

Location: Morris has taken advantage of its location—on the edge of the prairie in a high wind area with abundant natural resources (biomass)—and capitalized on these elements to develop an integrated system of communitybased renewable energy. Some would describe the campus as “in the middle of nowhere,” yet the campus’ rural location emerges as an asset in the twenty-fi rst century.

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